(civil.ge) - The Russian Foreign Ministry slammed Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Merab Antadze for his participation in the inauguration ceremony of Tbilisi-loyal Dimitri Sanakoev, which was held in the Georgian village of Kurta in the South Ossetian conflict zone on December 1.
It is well known that the so-called alternative election, which was held in parallel with official elections of South Ossetian President on November 12, did not gain the support of the local either Ossetian or Georgian population. This election aimed at discrediting the democratic election processes established in the republic in compliance with international standards. South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity was supported by the overwhelming majority of voters, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in an information note on December 5, reports Trend.
The participation of the Georgian State Minister, co-chairman of the JCC [quadripartite Joint Control Commission], in an attempt to legitimize the 'alternative' structures, which causes bewilderment and arouses great questions regarding the commitment of the Georgian side to continue the settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict in a spirit of constructive cooperation among the parties concerned. Moreover, such counterproductive steps suspiciously resemble Tbilisi's actions in upper Kodori Gorge, which led to serious aggravation of the conflict, as well as to the Abkhaz side's refusal to continue direct contacts with the Georgian negotiators until they dismantle the alternative structures [Tbilisi-backed Abkhaz government-in-exile] in Kodori, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Moscow claims that Tbilisi is trying to repeat in South Ossetia its policy of backing an 'alternative government' in Kodori Gorge against the de facto Abkhaz authorities.
This confirms that our previous contacts with Georgia at the top and highest levels brought no positive outcomes, the Russian Foreign Ministry added.